GIFT   OF 
Mrs .   Rode cape 


he  Rebound :  a  Comedy 
One  Act :  by  L.  B.  Pic- 
rd:  Translated  by  Bar- 
lett  H.  Clark 


amuel  French:  Publisher 

28-30  West  Thirty-eighth  Street:   New  York 

LONDON 

Samuel  French,  Ltd. 

26  SOUTHAMPTON  STUEKT,  STRAND 

PRICE  TWENTY-FIVE  CENTS 


THE   WORLD'S    BEST    PLAYS 

BY   CELEBRATED    EUROPEAN    AUTHORS 

BARRETT  H.     CLARK 
CtENEBAL   EDITOR 


The  Rebound:  a  Comedy 
in  One  Act:  by  K  B/Pic- 
ard:  Translated  by  Bar- 
rett H.  Clark 


Samuel  French:  Publisher 

28-30  West  Thirty-eighth  Street:   New  York 

LONDON 

Samuel  French,  Ltd. 


SOUTHAMPTON    STREET,    STRAND 


COPYRIGHT.  1915, 
BY  SAMUEL  FRENCH 


V 


L.  B.  PICARD. 

Louis- Benoit  Picard  was  born  at  Paris  in  1769. 
Though  he  was  educated  for  the  law,  he  soon  de- 
cided to  abandon  that  profession  and  write  plays. 
His  first  venture  was  a  collaboration — "  Le  Badinage 
dangereux " — which  was  produced  in  1789.  Es- 
sentially a  man  of  the  theater,  Picard  learned 
through  his  experiences  as  manager,  director,  and 
playwright, "to  write  plays  which  were  full  of  im- 
mediate appeal.  Many  of  his  plays,  however,  have 
through  their  inherent  charm  and  wit  and  humor, 
outlasted  the  age  for  which  they  were  written. 
"  Les  Ricochets  " — "  The  Rebound  " — was  a  special 
favorite  with  the  author  who  says  of  it :  "  The  idea 
of  the  piece  is  ingenious  and  true  to  life :  the  execu- 
tion, too,  it  seems  to  me,  is  good.  It  is  a  picture 
in  miniature  of  all  society  looked  at  from  a  curious 
point  of  view." 

The  costumes  and  setting  are  late  eighteenth 
century. 


THE  REBOUND 


PERSONS  REPRESENTED. 

SAINVILLE A  young  colonel,  son  of  a  cabinet 

minister 

DORSAY 

LAFLEUR DORSAY'S  valet 

GABRIEL DORSAY'S  jockey 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR DORSAY'S  niece 

MARIE MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR'S  maid 

SCENE: — A  room  in  DORSAY'S  house,  Paris. 
TIME: — Late  eighteenth  century. 

"  Les  Ricochets  "  was  first  performed  at  Paris  in 
1807. 


THE  REBOUND 


SCENE  : — A  room  in  the  home  of  MONSIEUR  DORSAY, 
at  Paris.  As  the  curtain  rises,  enter  GABRIEL, 
carrying  LAFLEUR'S  clothes  under  one  arm;  in 
the  other  hand  he  carries  a  cage  with  a  canary 
in  it.  Enter  MARIE  from  the  other  side  of  the 
stage. 

MARIE.    Monsieur  Gabriel ! 

GABRIEL.     Ah,  Mademoiselle  Marie ! 

MARIE.     May  I  speak  a  word  with  you? 

GABRIEL.  Yes ;  your  uncle  is  just  doing  Mon- 
sieur's hair,  and  will  then  do  his  own. 

MARIE.  And  I  can  hear  Madame Js  bell  from 
here. 

GABRIEL.  (Handing  her  the  cage)  Let  us  lose 
no  time,  then :  Mademoiselle,  will  you  be  good 
enough  to  accept  this  little  present ? 

MARIE.  Oh,  what  a  pretty  cage !  And  what  a 
pretty  canary !  You  are  very  kind,  Monsieur 
Gabriel,  but  in  return,  I  must  ask  you  to  accept 
this — (She  gives  him  a  small  package)  Here. 

GABRIEL.  (Unwrapping  the  package)  What  is 
this  ?  A  cravat  ?  Mademoiselle,  how  kind  you  are ! 

MARIE.  I  embroidered  it  myself,  Monsieur 
Gabriel. 

GABRIEL.  I  really  don't  deserve  this !  Ah,  when 
shall  I  hope  to  find  favor  in  your  uncle's  eyes  as  a 
possible  husband  for  you? 

MARIE.  You  must  have  patience;  things  are 
5 


6  THE  REBOUND. 

going  very  smoothly.  I've  been  in  Madame  de 
Mircour's  service  for  ten  months  now,  and  you've 
been  in  Monsieur  Dorsay's  service  for  two  weeks, 
as  jockey. 

GABRIEL.  How  pleasant  it  is  to  live  under  the 
same  roof  with  each  other! 

MARIE.  Yes ;  and  every  morning  we  can  gossip 
for  a  few  moments 

GABRIEL.    Or  exchange  presents  ! 

MARIE.  And  who  knows  what  may  happen?  A 
drop  of  rain,  a  hare  that  escapes  a  dog,  have  caused 
great  battles — conspiracies — what  is  our  marriage 
in  comparison  to  such  things  as  that  ?  Now,  a  very 
favorable  sign,  it  seems  to  me,  is  the  fact  that  Mon- 
sieur Sainville  is  making  love  to  my  mistress. 

GABRIEL.  What  ?  That  young  lively  colonel,  the 
one  my  master  is  trying  to  get  on  the  good  side  of 
since  the  colonel's  father  has  been  appointed  cabinet 
minister  ? 

MARIE.  Yes.  And  if  the  colonel  finds  favor  in 
Madame's  eyes,  I'm  going  to  get  you  a  position  as 
valet;  I  see  no  reason  why  our  marriage  shouldn't 
follow  theirs? 

GABRIEL.  And  do  you  think  your  mistress  cares 
for  the  Colonel? 

MARIE.  I  believe  she  does — think  of  it :  a  young 
soldier,  a  lovely  disposition,  and  son  of  a  cabinet 
minister !  Madame  is  free  to  do  as  she  likes  ;  she  is 
twenty-two  years  old,  and  seems  to  be  in  a  hurry  to 
marry  again.  It's  too  bad,  however,  that  she's  so 
capricious  and  moody ;  still,  she's  the  loveliest 
woman  imaginable.  But  I  wish  she  were  a  little 
more  steady :  during  the  past  ten  months,  I've  seen 
her  in  turn  a  gambler,  a  botanist,  and  a  devout 
repentant.  Just  now  she  has  a  mania  for  animals : 
she  has  had  me  get  for  her  a  monkey  and  a  parrot, 
and  I'll  wager  that  her  good-nature  yesterday  was 
only  the  effect  of  her  dog  Azor's  splendid  behavior 
at  the  ball ! 


THE  REBOUND.  7 

GABRIEL.     Strange  mania,  is  it  not? 

MARIE.  But  they  say  she  is  capricious  only  about 
small  things,  though  often  she  refuses  to  see  visitors 
if  she  has  slept  badly  the  night  before.  You  see, 
it's  all  the  fault  of  her  parents :  she  never  wanted 
for  anything. 

GABRIEL.  Still,  we  must  put  up  with  the  faults  of 
our  masters ! 

MARIE.  So  I  do,  Gabriel.  My  dear  mistress  is 
much  too  kind  for  me  to  think  ill  of  her.  I  may  be 
only  seventeen,  but  I  declare  it's  I  who  govern  her, 
though  she  has  no  suspician  of  the  fact. 

LAFLEUR'S  VOICE.     (Outside)     Gabriel! 

GABRIEL.    It's  Monsieur  de  Lafleur  ! 

MARIE.  My  Uncle !  I  must  run.  One  moment, 
though :  please  speak  to  him  about  ourselves ;  if  he 
consents,  I  am  yours,  though  you  are  only  a  jockey : 
I'm  not  at  all  proud.  See  you  soon,  Monsieur 
Gabriel.  (She  goes  out) 

(Enter  LAFLEUR,  in  a  dressing-gown.) 

LAFLEUR.  Ah,  Gabriel,  here  you  are!  What  are 
you  doing?  Do  you  want  me  to  wear  my  voice 
out  calling  you? 

GABRIEL.  I  beg  your  pardon,  Monsieur  de 
Lafleur. 

LAFLEUR.     Never  mind  my  name !     I  know  it ! 

GABRIEL.  I  mean,  I  feared  to  interrupt  Mon- 
sieur. 

LAFLEUR.  Good !  I  am  pleased  to  see  that  you 
know  your  place. 

GABRIEL.  Would  Monsieur  like  to  try  on  his 
clothes  ? 

LAFLEUR.  You  are  in  a  hurry !  Can't  you  give 
me  time  to  brush  off  some  of  my  powder?  (He  sits 
at  a  small  table  with  a  mirror  and  wipes  powder 
from  his  face) 


8  THE  REBOUND. 

GABRIEL.  It  was  only  a  desire  on  my  part  to  be 
of  service  to  you. 

LAFLEUR.  At  your  age  I  was  as  ready  as  you  to 
be  of  service,  but  I  was  never  so  stupid !  So  you 
say ? 

GABRIEL.  I  am  delighted  to  see  Monsieur  in  so 
gay  a  mood 

LAFLEUR.  Think  so?  You're  a  good  fellow. 
My  cravat? 

GABRIEL,  (f  landing  LAFLEUR  the  cravat  MARIE 
has  given  him)  There — oh,  no !  here  is  yours  ! 

LAFLEUR.  I'd  like  to  see  you  succeed,  Gabriel. 
You  are  now  being  educated,  and  your  stupidity  is 
only  a  sign  of  your  zeal.  I  really  don't  consider 
you  as  big  a  fool  as  I  used  to. 

GABRIEL.     Monsieur  is  too  good ! 

LAFLEUR.  My  suit,  now ! — Monsieur  Dorsay, 
your  master — and  mine — is  a  true  gentleman,  and  a 
rich  one.  He  is  ambitious,  though  he  hasn't  any  too 
much  talent,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  scribbles 
verses.  Let  me  take  you  under  my  protection. 
Give  me  a  pen  and  paper — I  want  to  write.  Speak 
ahead — I  am  listening. 

GABRIEL.  (Giving  LAFLEUR  pen,  ink,  and  paper) 
Monsieur  is  so  kind  that  I  am  tempted  to  tell  him 
my  secret. 

LAFLEUR.  A  secret !  Have  you  secrets  ?  (As  he 
nrites)  "  Yes,  my  dear,  my  beautiful — "  Well, 
your  secret? 

GABRIEL.    Let  me  tell  you !    I  am  ambitious. 

LAFLEUR.  Ha !  Of  course,  you  should  be.  And 
what  is  your  ambition  ?  Come,  don't  be  timid  with 
me;  this  is  the  moment  to  speak — I  shall  help  you. 

GABRIEL.    Monsieur  has  a  very  pretty  niece. 

LAFLEUR.    You  say — my  niece  is  pretty? 

GABRIEL.  Though  I  am  only  a  jockey,  I  have 
eyes  and  a  heart.  Of  course,  I  don't  pretend  at  this 
time  to  hope — for — an  alliance — which  is  really  too 
disproportionate — but  possibly,  in  the  future,  with 


THE  REBOUND.  9 

the  aid  and  advice  of  Monsieur,  I  might — I  hope  to 
become  a  valet. 

LAFLEUR.  The  devil !  That  is  ambitious  !  You 
are  very  young. 

GABRIEL.  I  am  positive  that  with  Monsieur's 
help  I  shall  make  my  way. 

LAFLEUR.  Ha,  you  flatterer,  you  are  trying  to 
sway  me ! 

DORSAY'S  VOICE.     (Outside)     Lafleur! 

LAFLEUR.  I  hear  Monsieur !  Quick,  take  away 
this  dressing-gown,  and  put  that  chair  into  place. 
Take  this  note  to  the  maid  of  that  danseuse — you 
know. — When  you  return,  I'll  see  what  I  can  do ;  I 
must  think  it  over. 

GABRIEL.  Monsieur  is  not  angry  at  my  bold- 
ness ? 

LAFLEUR.  No,  no.  Go  away,  now.  (GABRIEL 
goes  out) 

(Enter  DORSAY,  in  a  dressing-gown.    He  carries  a 
paper.) 

DORSAY.  Where  have  you  been?  I've  rung  and 
called ! 

LAFLEUR.    Here  I  am,  Monsieur,  at  your  service. 

DORSAY.  Quick,  now,  dress  me.  I'm  in  a  fearful 
hurry.  Have  you  been  to  see  Colonel  Sainville? 

LAFLEUR.  I  went  in  person  to  announce  Mon- 
sieur's visit.  The  Colonel  begs  Monsieur  not  to 
trouble  himself,  for  he  is  coming  to  the  house  this 
morning,  to  see  Madame  de  Mircour. 

DORSAY.  To  see  my  niece  ?  All  the  more  reason 
for  me  to  hurry  !  I  must  see  him  first  at  his  home ! 
People  of  high  rank  always  appreciate  that  sort  of 
attention  !  Where  is  my  suit  ? 

LAFLEUR.  (Helping  his  master  on  with  his  coat) 
Ah,  Monsieur  is  very  particular  regarding  such 
formalities. 

DORSAY.    A  matter  of  habit,  Lafleur. 


io  THE  REBOUND 

LAFLEUR.  Not  everyone  is  so  accustomed.  For 
my  part,  I  could  never  think  of  those  points. 

DORSAY.  Poor  Lafleur!  You  are  a  good  fellow 
all  the  same.  Well,  I  am  delighted  that  the  Colonel 
seems  to  have  a  liking  for  my  niece.  He  is  most 
obliging  and  helpful  when  he's  in  a  good  humor, 
when  he's  not,  woe  be  unto  his  friends  ! 

L  \FLEUR.  How  well  Monsieur  describes  his 
friends !  If  Monsieur  weren't  in  so  great  a  hurry  I 
should  be  tempted  to  ask  him  a  favor. 

DORSAY.    What  is  it  ?    Hurry  up. — My  sword  ? 

LAFLEUR.  It's  for  a  young  man,  a  relative  of  a 
young  actress 

DORSAY.  Ah,  so  you  are  acquainted  in  theatrical 
circles  ? — My  niece  is  worrying  me  considerably,  she 
is  the  most — well,  this  young  man,  you  were  say- 
ing  ? 

LAFLEUR.  Well,  as  Monsieur  will  soon  change  his 
mode  of  living 

DORSAY.    Who  told  you  that  ? 

LAFLEUR.  Ah,  Monsieur,  a  man  like  Monsieur 
cannot  long  remain  without  obtaining  the  situation 
he  deserves.  So  that  Monsieur  will  need  a  new 
staff  of  assistants,  and  this  young  man  I  speak  of 
might  well,  I  dare  hope,  aspire  to  the  position  of 
private  secretary— 

DORSAY.  How  much  did  your  young  friend  give 
you  to  speak  for  him  ? 

LAFLEUR.  Ah,  Monsieur,  the  imputation  is  un- 
just !  I  speak  from  the  most  honorable  of  motives. 
I  model  myself  after  Monsieur:  I  find  pleasure  in 
doing  good  to  others. 

DORSAY.  Idiotic — my  hat !  I  think  it  very  foolish 
to  give  away  one's  services — my  snuff-box !  What 
is  it?  I  thought  I  heard  a  carriage?  Could  that 
possibly  be  the  Colonel? 

LAFLEUR.    Yes,  it  is. 

DORSAY.  Saints  in  Heaven,  and  here  you  are 
wasting  my  precious  time !  Fix  that  table,  deliver 


THE  REBOUND.  n 

these  verses  and  the  bouquet  to  that  widow  in  the 
Chaussee  d'Antin. 

LAFLEUR.  At  once,  Monsieur.  But  I  beg  Mon- 
sieur to  take  that  young  man:  he  will  be  only  too 
willing  to  work  for  a  man  who  is  as  just  and  kind 
as  Monsieur. 

DORSAY.  Nonsense — very  well,  then.  Bring  me 
a  sample  of  his  handwriting,  and  if  it's  passable 

LAFLEUR.  Oh,  it's  admirable,  Monsieur.  Here  is 
the  Colonel.  (He  goes  out) 

(Enter  SAINVILLE.) 

SAINVILLE.    How  are  you,  my  dear  Dorsay? 

DORSAY.  I  am  delighted  and  most  deeply 
honored  to  receive  Monsieur  le  colonel.  I  was  just 
going  to  call  upon  you. 

SAINVILLE.  I  promised  Madame  de  Mircour  that 
I  would  bring  her  these  verses  from  the  new  opera 
this  morning.  Let  us  chat  while  she  is  preparing  to 
see  me. 

DORSAY.    Very  well,  Monsieur  le  colonel. 

SAINVILLE.  What  a  delightful  woman  your  niece 
is  !  What  cleverness  !  I  admire  even  her  caprices. 

DORSAY.  At  the  ball  yesterday  she  said  so  many 
charming  things  about  the  Colonel 

SAINVILLE.  Really?  Delighted,  I  am  sure.  Can 
I  be  of  service  to  you,  my  dear  Dorsay  ? 

DORSAY.  Please  leave  me  out  of  the  question, 
now ;  I  shall  do  myself  the  honor  of  calling  on  you 
later  and  speaking  of  a  matter 

SAINVILLE.  No,  let  us  discuss  it  now.  I  am  only 
too  glad  to  be  of  any  service  to  an  uncle  of  Madame 
de  Mircour !  When,  I  wonder,  will  she  finally 
accord  me  the  supreme  honor  of  her  hand  in 
marriage  ? 

DORSAY.  She  is  yours.  The  matter  of  her  late 
husband's  will  is  at  present  the  only  obstacle.  I  am 
doing  all  in  my  power  for  you,  but  what  serves  you 


12  THE  REBOUND. 

more  faithfully  is  not  only  your  own  position  and 
rank,  nor  that  of  your  much-honored  and  highly- 
esteemed  father,  but  be  it  said  without  flattery,  your 
own  signal  merit  and  personal  accomplishments. 

SAINVILLE.  Oh.  without  flattery — !  But  tell  me, 
my  dear  Dorsay,  \vhat  "can  I  do  for  you  ? 

DORSAY.  Since  you  are  so  good  as  to  insist, — 
your  father,  the  cabinet  minister,  has  the  greatest 
confidence  in  you 

SAINVILLE.    Which  I  strive  to  merit. 

DORSAY.  There  is  at  present  a  vacant  post  which 
your  father  may  fill  as  he  likes,  and  / — I  aspire  to 
that  honor ! 

SAINVILLE.    Have  you  applied  for  this  yet? 

DORSAY.  I  have,  but  I  have  been  informed  that 
the  first  secretary  said  your  father  would  consult 
you. 

SAINVILLF.     Well,  my  dear  Dorsay 

DORSAY.  Take  me  under  your  protection,  and  do 
me  this  favor,  I  beg  you.  I  shall  be  glad  to  bring 
you  letters,  articles  of  credit,  and 

SAINVILLE.  No,  let  me  see  these  at  once.  Let  us 
go  into  your  study. 

VOICE  OF  MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  (Outside) 
Unbelievable !  Hurry — look  everywhere !  He  can't 
be  lost ! 

SAINVILLE.  Wait  one  moment — isn't  that 
Madame  de  Mircour's  voice? 

DORSAY.     It  is. 

SAINVILLE.  Get  your  documents  for  me,  Dorsay ; 
I  shall  be  glad  to  give  them  to  my  father  this  very 
morning 

DORSAY.  One  word  from  you,  and  I  am  as  sure 
of  success  as  you  are  with  my  niece.  I  shall  bring 
the  papers  at  once,  my  dear  nephew — I  beg  your 
pardon!  (He  goes  out) 

(Enter  MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.) 
MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.     You  simply  must  find 


THE  REBOUND.  13 

it,  do  you  hear  ?  Oh,  servants,  servants  !  Neglect- 
ful— Ah,  you  here,  Monsieur  ? 

SAINVILLE.  Yes,  Madame,  impatiently  waiting  to 
tell  you  how  happy  I  am  to  see  you  looking  more 
charming  than  ever. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Please  leave  me — I'm  in 
a  frightful  humor — I  am  really  desperate. 

SAINVILLE.    Oh,  what  has  happened? 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Azor — my  dear  Azor — 
has  disappeared,  I  have  no  idea  where. 

SAINVILLE.    Azor?    What  is  Azor! 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  My  little  pug-dog. — Why 
are  you  smiling? 

SAINVILLE.  I  was  not  smiling.  I  sympathize  with 
you. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  You  are  making  fun  of 
me.  Men  never  fail  to  show  their  true  character ! 

SAINVILLE.  Please  be  calm.  I  am  sure  you  will 
be  reasonable 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Reasonable  !  No,-  Mon- 
sieur, I  am  not  at  all  reasonable !  I  dislike  all 
reasonable  people:  they  are  always  cold  and  un- 
sympathetic.— Well,  what  do  you  want?  Has  no 
one  told  you  this  morning  that  I  was  not  at  home 
to  an von e ? 

SAINVILLE.  I  am  surprised  at  the  way  you  treat 
me,  Madame.  Those  verses  from  the  opera  which 
you  asked  me  to  bring  you 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  I  don't  want  them !  I'm 
in  splendid  humor  to  sing,  am  I  not? 

SAINVILLE.    You  are  very  inconsiderate,  I  think. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  I  inconsiderate?  Mon- 
sieur, you  are  most  unsympathetic.  I  am  suffering, 
weeping,  arid  Monsieur  jokes  and  laughs ! 

SAINVILLE.  I  scarcely  expected  this  sort  of  wel- 
come. Can  this  really  be  the  same  woman  who  was 
yesterday  so  sweet  and  affable  ? 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Yesterday  you  yourself 
were  very  agreeable — try  to  be  so  to-day. 


14  THE  REBOUND. 

SAINVILLE.  Madame,  that  will  be  out  of  the  ques- 
ii(  11  so  long"  as  you  persist  in  this  humor. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Ha,  now  I  see  your  im- 
patience, your  hot  temper ! 

SAINVILLE.     This  caprice  of  yours  is  the 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Caprice!  A  misfortune 
like  this — and  you  call  that  a  caprice ! 

SAINVILLE.  Madame,  I  shan't  venture  another 
word;  you  misinterpret  everything  I  say.  Good 
day,  Madame. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.     Good  day,  Monsieur. 

SAINVILLE.  (Starting  to  go,  then  turning 
back)  Shall  we  allow  the  loss  of  Monsieur  Azor 
to  keep  us  apart 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  That's  most  unkind  of 
you :  you  know  very  well  I  should  never  be  so  un- 
just as  that. 

SAINVILLE.  Madame,  if  the  most  devoted,  most 
tender,  most  sincere  affection 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Now  you  are  going  to 
complain.  You  were  about  to  go,  Monsieur;  pray 
allow  me  to  leave  you.  I  am  going  to  my  room 
and  give  vent  to  my  sorrow  alone. 

SAINVILLE.  If  you  leave,  Madame,  you  may 
depend  upon  it  you  will  have  laid  eyes  on  me  for 
the  last  time. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Very  well,  Monsieur,  try 
not  to  forget  that.  (She  goes  out.  A  moment 
later) 

(Enter  DORSAY,  carrying  some  papers.) 

DORSAY.    What,  has  my  niece  left  you  so  soon? 

SAINVILLE.    Yes,  Monsieur. 

DORSAY.  Well,  are  things  going  smoothly,  eh? 
My  niece  is  undoubtedly 

SAINVILLE.  Things  are  going  wonderfully ! 
Good  day! 

DORSAY.     Ah!     One  moment — you  gave  me  to 


THE  REBOUND.  15 

hope  that  you  would  be  glad  to  see  these  docu- 
ments  ? 

SAINVILLE.  I  am  sorry,  but  I  really  cannot 
trouble  about  the  affair. 

DORSAY.  But,  Monsieur,  you  gave  me  to  under- 
stand— you  promised 

SAINVILLE.  I  wasn't  thinking.  It  is  against  my 
principles  to  solicit  offices  for  others.  But  there  is 
no  hurry,  is  there?  I  shall  tell  my  father  that  you 
will  call  on  him  to-morrow — or  the  day  after! 
Good  day,  Monsieur  Dorsay.  (He  goes  out) 

DORSAY.  Well,  well !  These  people  of  rank, 
always  ready  to  promise,  but  never  keeping  their 
word ! 

(Enter  LAFLEUR.) 

LAFLEUR.  Monsieur,  the  lady  was  delighted  with 
the  flowers  and  the  verses. 

DORSAY.  The  devil — never  mind  that !  What  a 
fool  I  am !  With  my  fortune,  my  liberty,  can't  I 
clo  as  I  like? 

LAFLEUR.  (Taking  a  paper  from  his  pocket)  If 
Monsieur  will  be  good  enough  to  glance  at  this? 
The  young  man's  handwriting. 

DORSAY.  Let  me  tell  you,  I  think  you  are  most 
impertinent  to  think  of  placing  people  in  my 
service!  I  don't  need  a  secretary. 

LAFLEUR.  But  I  only  ask  Monsieur  to  be  good 
enough  to  look  at  this  sample.  What  a  beautiful 
hand  he  writes ! 

DORSAY.  (Taking  the  paper)  You  are  a  funny 
fellow!  (Reading)  "  The  difference  which  exists 
between  people  of  rank  and  people  of  no  rank  tends 
to  disappear —  What's  this  ?  "  The  footman 
does  a  favor  for  the  valet,  the  valet  often  hastily 
dresses  his  master  who  is  going  to  pay  his  respects 
to  My  lord !  " 

LAFLEUR.     Is  that  what  it  savs?    What  else? 


16  THE  REBOUND. 

DORSAY.  '  Torment  one's  inferiors — that  is  how 
one  revenges  himself  on  his  superiors."  Philos- 
ophy !  Morality !  The  devil !  Monsieur  de 
Laflcur,  you  may  tell  your  protege  that  before  he 
applies  for  a  place,  he  had  better  learn  how  to 
think.  (He  throws  the  paper  at  LAFLEUR)  I  tell 
you,  I  can  get  someone  else,  and  if  I  can't,  then 
I  shall  retire  to  the  country,  and  live  by  myself. 

LAFLEUR.     But,  Monsieur 

DORSAY.  Don't  say  another  word  to  me,  or  I'll 
discharge  you!  (He  goes  out) 

LAFLEUR.  Whew !  Our  masters — how  dis- 
agreeable they  can  be!  I'll  get  revenge! 

(Enter  GABRIEL.) 

GABRIEL.  The  danseuse'  maid  said  she  couldn't 
find  her  mistress  anywhere. 

LAFLEUR.  Ah,  here  you  are,  Monsieur  Gabriel! 
The  idea  of  your  presuming  to  become  a  valet ! 
Leave  me  this  instant ! 

GABRIEL.     Why  are  you  sending  me  away? 

LAFLEUR.  Monsieur  knows  you — you  rascal ! 
He  is  going  to  discharge  you ;  you  have  only  a 
week  to  find  a  new  place!  Don't  answer  me! 
Where  the  devil  did  you  get  the  idea  to  copy  that 
philosophy?  (He  tears  the  paper  into  shreds,  and 
goes  out) 

GABRIEL.  Heavens !  What  has  happened,  I 
wonder  ? 

(Enter  MARIE.) 

MARIE.     Well,  Monsieur  Gabriel? 

GABRIEL.  Mademoiselle,  everything  is  lost. 
Your  uncle,  who  at  first  gave  me  some  hope,  is  in 
a  mad  fury.  He  says  that  Monsieur  is  going  to 
discharge  me. 

MARIE.      Haven't   YOU   noticed   that   when   anv- 


THE  REBOUND.  17 

thing  goes  wrong  with  our  masters,  it  is  we  who 
suffer?  Madame  has  just  been  scolding  me. — 
What's  that  paper  there? 

GABRIEL.  (Picking  up  the  pieces  of  paper  of 
which  LAFLEUR  has  torn  up  and  thrown  on  the 
floor)  I  don't  know.  Monsieur  Lafleur  threw  it 
there. 

MARIE.     Let's  see. 

GABRIEL.  It  looks  like  the  handwriting  of  a 
writing-master. 

MARIE.  (Glancing  through  some  of  the  torn 
pieces)  Oh,  now  I  know. 

GABRIEL.     What  ? 

MARIE.  Now  I  know  why  my  uncle  was  so 
angry.  Great  things  have  happened  since  our  con- 
versation. 

GABRIEL.     What  ? 

MARIE.     My  mistress  has  lost  Azor. 

GABRIEL.     What  is  Azor? 

MARIE.    Her  little  dog. 

GABRIEL.     What  has  that  to  do  with ? 

MARIE.  She  is  in  despair.  The  Colonel  came  to 
see  her — I  don't  know  what  they  said,  but  Madame 
ran  back  to  her  room  in  tears.  I  saw  the  Colonel 
leave — he  was  in  a  fury,  and  swore  he  would 
never  set  foot  in  the  house  again.  The  Colonel  has 
been  badly  treated  by  my  mistress,  then  the  Colonel 
treated  Monsieur  Dorsay  in  like  fashion.  Mon- 
sieur Dorsay  took  revenge  on  my  uncle,  who 
took  it  out  on  you. 

GABRIEL.     You  think  so? 

MARIE.  He  blames  you  because  his  master 
blames  him.  You  see? 

GABRIEL.  (Pulling  from  his  pocket  the  cravat 
zvhich  MARIE  had  given  him,  and  tearing  it  in 
pieces)  And  I  can't  take  revenge  on  anyone !  It's 
terrible  to  be  the  lowest  servant  in  a  house ! 

MARIE.    What  are  you  doing? 


i8  THE  REBOUND. 

GABRIEL.  Oh,  Heavens,  it's  the  cravat  you  gave 
me ! 

MARIE.     You  can't  think  much  of  my  present? 

GABRIEL.  Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon  a  thousand 
times,  Mademoiselle,  but  I  had  nothing  else — I 
hold  this  dear  to  my  heart — but  my  nervousness 
has  made  me 

MARIE.  Do  you  know  what  I  ought  to  do  with 
your  present? 

GABRIEL.  Ah,  Mademoiselle,  don't  make  me 
take  it  back,  I  beg  you.  Please  keep  it  as  a  souvenir 
of  poor  Gabriel. 

MARIE.  Don't  worry,  I  shan't  force  you  to  take 
it  back. — I  hear  Madame.  Leave  me — no,  come 
here.  The  cage  is  downstairs.  Quick,  go  and  get 
it  for  me. 

GABRIEL.     But 

MARIE.    Do  as  I  tell  you. 

GABRIEL.     Heavens!     (He  goes  out) 

(Enter  MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.) 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Well,  Mademoiselle, 
have  you  quite  deserted  me ! 

MARIE.  Did  Madame  not  say  that  I  was  not  to 
return  to  her  without  Madame's  orders? 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  True.  Well,  any  news 
of  Azor? 

MARIE.  No,  Madame ;  I  have  been  everywhere 
in  the  neighborhood — no  one  has  seen  him.  Poor 
little  Azor,  what  has  happened  to  him?  I  loved 
him  as  much  as  you  did,  Madame. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  You  are  very  sympa- 
thetic, Marie.  But  do  you  know,  Monsieur  Sain- 
ville  had  the  audacity  to  be  angry  with  me? 

MARIE.  I  should  never  have  thought  that  of 
the  Colonel ! 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  He  even  brought  me 
some  verses  from  an  opera !  Of  course,  I  asked 


THE  REBOUND.  19 

him  to  bring  them,  but  he  ought  to  know  when  to 
give  his  presents  !    Poor  dear  Azor ! 

(Enter  GABRIEL,  carrying  the  cage  ivith  the  canary 
'in  it.) 

GABRIEL.     Here,  Mademoiselle  Marie. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.     What  is  that? 

MARIE.  A  little  canary  that  was  given  to  me 
this  morning. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  How  pretty!  Is  that 
dear  little  bird  yours,  Marie? 

MARIE.     Yes,  Madame. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  You  ought  to  be  very 
happy. 

MARIE.     If  Madame  would  like  it ? 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  No,  no,  my  child,  I 
shouldn't  think  of  depriving  you.  But  it  is  really 
most  charming. 

GABRIEL.  (Aside  to  MARIE)  Mademoiselle, 
would  you  give  away  my  present? 

MARIE.  (Aside  to  GABRIEL)  Quick,  go  to  the 
Colonel  and  tell  him  Madame  has  sent  for  him. 

GABRIEL.  (Aside  to  MARIE)  He  swore  he 
would  never  return. 

MARIE.  (Aside  to  GABRIEL)  Never  mind. 
Run  !  (He  goes  out) 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  I  never  saw  a  prettier 
canary. 

MARIE.  Yes,  and  what  lovely  coloring!  If 
Madame  had  the  bird  it  would  be  quite  the  same 
as  my  own.  Madame  would  really  hurt  me  if  she 
refused 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Well — would  you  like 
one  of  my  old  dresses? 

MARIE.     Madame  is  too  good ! 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Marie,  since  you  insist— 
I  accept. 


20  THE  REBOUND. 

MARIE.  This  little  bird  won't  be  so  ungrateful 
as  Azor!  He  won't  leave  you! 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  I  shall  see  to  that. 
Where  shall  we  put  our  cage,  Marie?  In  my  bed- 
room, what  do  you  say  ? 

MARIE.     Yes,  next  to  Madame's  piano. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Yes,  and  the  first  song 
I'll  teach  him  will  be  the  Colonel's  air  from  the 
opera.  Poor  Colonel!  I  didn't  treat  him  very 
kindly ! 

MARIE.     Oh,  he  is  sure  to  return,  I  know. 

(Enter  GABRIEL.) 

GABRIEL.     Monsieur  le  colonel  Sainville ! 

MARIE.    There,  I  just  told  Madame 

GABRIEL.  (Aside  to  MARIE)  He  was  just  com- 
ing into  the  house. 

(Enter  SAINVILLE.) 

AIADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.     Ah,  it's  you,  Monsieur  ? 

SAINVILLE.     Yes,  Madame — again. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  You  said  you  were  not 
coming  to  see  me  again. 

SAINVILLE.  I  was  looking  for  your  uncle,  not 
you,  Madame. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.    My  uncle? 

SAINVILLE.     Yes,  Madame — your  uncle. 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  You  are  none  too  polite, 
it  seems  to  me. 

SAINVILLE.  Since  it  appears  that  my  visits  here 
are  not 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Did  I  hurt  your  feel- 
ings ? 

SAINVILLE.    Would  that  be  unnatural? 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Not  at  all.  But  may  I 
ask  you  to  be  frank?  Deny  that  you  have  come 
back  to  see  me  ? 


THE  REBOUND.  21 

SAINVILLE.  I  came  back — Well,  yes,  Madame, 
I  have  come  to  see  you.  I  confess  it. 

MADAME  DS  MIRCOUR.  I  admit  that  I  was  in  a 
bad  humor  and  that  I  was  tyrannical  and  unjust. 
Listen  to  me,  Colonel:  one  must  be  indulgent  to- 
ward one's  friends.  I  have  a  great  many  faults, 
but  you  can  see  that  I  am  not  obstinate. 

SAINVILLE.  (As  he  kisses  her  hand)  You  are 
charming !  And  was  I  not  almost  as  childish  as 
you,  too? 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  You  had  sufficient  reason 
to  be.  I  admit  I  am  very  capricious  and  exacting 
in  small  matters,  but  I  am  constant  to  my  friends. 
I  may  even  treat  them  a  little  bluntly,  but  I  always 
return  to  them. — Have  you  those  verses? 

SAINVILLE.     No — I  was  afraid  that 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Please  send  for  them 
at  once.  But  you  wish  to  talk  business  with  my 
uncle — I  shall  leave  you;  pray  remember  the 
verses. —  (To  MARIE)  I  am  charmed  with  the 
little  canary,  my,  girl.  (She  goes  out  zvith  MARIE) 

(Enter  DORS  AY  in  deep  despair.) 

DORSAY.  No,  I'll  go  and  live  in  the  country 
and 

SAINVILLE.  Ah,  my  dear  Dorsay !  I  have  just 
seen  your  delightful  niece.  I  declare,  if  she  has 
her  moments  of  bad  humor,  she  more  than  com- 
pensates for  them  with  her  inherent  charm. — 
Well,  now,  what  about  this  position  of  yours  ? 

DORSAY.    What  about  it,  Monsieur? 

SAINVILLE.  Ah,  you  may  well  be  angry  with 
me.  I  was  a  little  sharp  with  you,  but  I  was  think- 
ing of  another  matter. 

DORSAY.  It  seems  I  meet  no  one  to-day  but 
people  who  are  thinking  of  "  another  matter !  " 

SAINVILLE.  Yes,  what  is  becoming  of  friend- 
ship ?  Now,  have  you  those  documents  ? 


22  THE  REBOUND. 

DORSAY.  (Taking  some  papers  from  his  pocket) 
Yes,  Monsieur,  but  as  you  said  it  was  against  your 
principles ? 

SAINVILLE.  Oh,  for  a  friend  like  you — Let  me 
see — ( DORSAY  gives  him  the  papers)  Very  good 
(As  he  glances  through  them)  Excellent  recom- 
mendations !  Yes.  I  shall  see  my  father  at  once ! 
Pray,  fear  nothing,  the  position  is  yours.  Good 
day  !  (He  goes  out) 

DORSAY.  The  position  is  mine!  Then  I  shan't 
retire  to  the  country ! 

(Enter  LAFLEUR.) 

LAFLEUR.  Gabriel  told  me  that  Monsieur  wished 
to  see  me. 

DORSAY.    I  ?    Not  at  all. 

LAFLEUR.  Was  he  joking,  then?  I  must  scold 
him. 

DORSAY.  No,  no,  don't  scold  him.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  I  did  not  call  you,  but  I  am  glad  you  are 
here,  none  the  less.  Do  you  know,  I  am  to  have 
that  position ;  the  Colonel  gave  me  his  promise. 

LAFLEUR.     My   sincere   compliments,   Monsieur. 

DORSAY.  By  the  way,  now  I  shall  be  placing 
my  household  on  a  different  footing — let  me  see 
that  sample  of  handwriting  your  young  friend 
copied  out? 

LAFLEUR.  The  poor  fellow  tore  it  in  pieces,  he 
was  so  grieved.  But,  knowing  the  Monsieur  was 
good-hearted  and  that  he  would  soon  again  be  in 
a  humor  to  consider  the  matter,  I  had  my  friend 
make  another  copy 

DORSAY.  Let  me  see  it.  (LAFLEUR  gives  DORSAY 
a  slip  of  paper)  "  The  duties  of  a  valet  toward 
his  master  are:  submission,  zeal,  intelligent  alert- 
ness— '  Good — and  very  well  written — very  good. 
The  day  I  am  accepted,  he  will  be.  In  my  new 
home,  you  will  be  head  valet.  (He  goes  out) 


THE  REBOUND.  23 

LAFLEUR.    A  most  kindly  and  reasonable  master ! 

(Enter  GABRIEL.  He  has  on  a  small  jacket  and 
carries  a  small  parcel  tied  to  the  end  of  a  stick. 
He  is  folio-wed  by  MARIE.) 

MARIE.     (To  GABRIEL)     Go  on! 

LAFLEUR.  Ah,  Gabriel !  What  does  this  mean  ? 
And  why  are  you  so  sad  ? 

GABRIEL.  I  am  coming  to  say  good-by  to  Mon- 
sieur and  to  ask  for  my  reference. 

LAFLEUR.    What?    Are  you  leaving  us  at  once? 

GABRIEL.  Monsieur  told  me  I  had  only  a  week 
in  which  to  find  a  new  place. 

LAFLEUR.  Don't  talk  nonsense.  I  have  pre- 
sented your  case  to  Monsieur,  and  he  forgives  you. 
You  may  stay. 

GABRIEL.    Oh,  Monsieur,  how  happy  I  am ! 

LAFLEUR.  Well,  now,  my  friend,  we  are  both 
very  fortunate.  I  really  think  you  and  my  niece 
should  make  a  match  of  it.  Count  on  me — Come 
here,  my  dear  Marie.  You  know,  this  rascal 
Gabriel  has  the  impertinence  to  be  in  love  with 
you? 

MARIE.     Yes,  I  know,  Uncle. 

LAFLEUR.  And  I  imagine  you  are  stupid  enough 
not  to  be  angry  with  him? 

MARIE.     Oh,  uncle,  if  you  only  knew 

I  AFLEUR.  Yes,  yes.  But  shouldn't  you  wait 
until  he  has  made  his  way ? 

MARIE.  He  has,  uncle:  he  is  valet  to  the 
Colonel.  The  Colonel  is  going  to  marry  Madame. 
I've  arranged  it  all- 


L AFLEUR.     What,  you've  arranged- 


MARIE.  The  Colonel  has  just  arrived,  I  have 
talked  with  Madame 

LAFLEUR.  Indeed!  Well,  then,  everything  is 
satisfactory ! 

MARIE.    Here  they  come. 


24  THE  REBOUND. 

(Enter    MADAME    DE    MIRCOUR,    SAINVILLE,    and 

DORSAY. ) 

MADAME  DE  MIRCOUR.  Where  is  my  dear  uncle? 
Ah,  here  he  is.  Congratulate  me,  and  then  allow 
me  to  congratulate  you. 

SAINVILLE.  (To  DORSAY)  You  have  your  posi- 
tion, my  dear  Dorsay ! 

DORSAY.  Monsieur,  I  am  deeply  obliged.  (To 
LAFLEUR)  Where  is  that  young  friend  of  yours, 
Lafleur,  I  need  a  secretary  this  very  evening? 

LAFLEUR.  I  am  delighted,  Monsieur. — Here  he 
is. 

GABRIEL.  Ah,  little  canary,  what  thanks  we  all 
owe  you! 

MARIE.     Indeed  we  do! 

CURTAIN. 


THE  WORLD'S  BEST  PLAYS 

By    Celebrated    European    Authors 


A  NEW  SERIES  OF  AMATEUR  PLAYS  BY  THE  BEST 
AUTHORS,   ANCIENT   AND   MODERN,   ESPECIALLY 
TRANSLATED  WITH  HISTORICAL  NOTES,  SUG- 
GESTIONS   FOR  STAGING,   Etc.,   FOR   THE 
USE    OF    SCHOOLS,    COLLEGES,    AND 
DRAMATIC  CLUBS 

BARRETT    H.     CLARK 

General     Editor 


W 


ITH  the  immensely  increased  demand  for  new 
plays  for  purposes  of  production  by  amateurs 
comes  a  correspondingly  great  demand  for  a  care- 
ful selection  of  those  plays  which  can  ba  easily 
and  well  presented  by  clubs  and  colleges.  The 
plays  in  the  present  series  have  been  chosen  with 
regard  to  their  intrinsic  value  as  drama  and  liter- 
ature, and  at  the  same  time  to  their  adaptability  to  the  needs  and 
limitations  of  such  organizations. 

The  Series,  under  the  personal  supervision  of  Mr.  Barrett  H. 
Clark,  instructor  in  the  department  of  Dramatic  Literature  at 
Chautauaua,  New  York,  assistant  stage  manager  and  actor  with 
Mrs.  Fiske  (season  1912-1913),  now  comprises  ten  volumes,  and  fifteen 
more  will  make  their  appearance  during  the  year.  Eventually 
there  will  be  plays  from  ancient  Greece  and  Rome,  Italy,  Spain, 
France,  Russia,  Germany,  and  the  Scandinarian  countries,  repre- 
sentative of  some  of  the  best  drama  of  all  ages  and  lands. 

Each  volume  is  prefaced  by  a  concise  historical  note  by  Mr.  Clark, 
and  with  a  few  suggestions  for  staging. 


Plays    Now    Ready 

INDIAN  SUMMER,  a  comedy  in  one  act  by  MEILHAC  and 
HALEVT.  This  little  play,  by  two  of  the  most  famous  writers  of 
comedy  of  the  last  century,  has  been  played  at  the  Come'die  Fran- 
caise  at  Paris  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  and  remains  one  of  the 
brightest  and  most  popular  works  of  the  period.  PRICE  25  GISTS. 

ROSALIE,  by  MAX  MATTREY.  A  "  Grand  Gui^nol "  comedy  in 
one  act.  f  all  of  verve  and  clever  dialogue.  Rosalie,  the  stubborn  maid, 
leads  her  none  too  amiable  master  and  mistress  into  uncomfortable 
complications  by  refusing  to  open  the  front  door  to  a  supposed  guest 
of  wealth  and  influence.  PKICE  25  CENTS. 

MODESTT,  by  PAUL,  HBRVIEU.  A  delig-htful  trifle  by  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  of  living;  dramatists.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  ART  OF  BEING  BORED,  (Lc  Monde,  ou  Von  JEnnuit),  a 

comedy  in  three  acts  by  EDOUARD  PAILLERON.  Probably  the  best- 
known  and  most  frequently  acted  comedy  of  manners  in  the  realm 
of  nineteenth  century  French  drama.  It  is  replete  with  wit  and 
ccmic  situations.  For  nearly  forty  years  it  has  held  the  stag-e, 
while  countless  imitators  have  endeavored  to  reproduce  its  fresh- 
ness and  charm.  PRICE  25  CEITTS. 

A  MARRIAGE  PROPOSAL,  by  ANTON  TCHEKUOFT,  &  comedy 
in  one  act,  by  one  of  the  greatest  of  modern  Russian  writers.  This 
little  farce  is  very  popular  in  Russia,  and  satirizes  the  peasants  of 
that  country  in  an  amusing  manner.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  GREBN  COAT,  by  AUTBED  DE  MUBSET  and  EMILE  AUGIER. 
A  sliffht  and  comic  character  sketch  of  the  life  of  Bohemian  artists 
in  Paris,  written  by  one  of  France's  greatest  poets  and  one  of  her 
best-known  dramatists.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  WAGER,  by  GIUSEFPB  GIACOSA.  This  one  act  poetic 
comedy,  written  by  the  most  celebrated  dramatist  of  modern  Italy, 
was  the  author's  first  work.  It  treats  of  &  water  made  by  a  proud 
young-  page,  who  risks  his  life  on  the  outcome  of  a  fame  of  chess. 
PKICK  25  CEJTTS. 


THE  LITTLE  SHEPHERDESS,  a  poetic  comedy  in  one  act, 
by  ANDRE  RIVOIBE.  A  charming  pastoral  sketch  by  a  well-known 
French  poet  and  dramatist.  Played  with  success  at  the  Come'die 
Francaise.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

PHORMIO,  a  Latin  comedy  by  TERENCE.  An  up-to-date  version 
of  the  famous  comedy.  One  of  the  masterpieces  of  Latin  drama; 
the  story  of  a  father  who  returns  to  find  that  his  son  has  married 
a  slave  girl.  Phormio,  the  parasite-villain  who  causes  the  numerous 
comic  complications,  succeeds  in  unraveling  the  difficulties,  and 
all  ends  happily.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  TWINS,  a  Latin  farce  by  PLAUTTJS,  upon  which  Shake- 
speare founded  his  Comedy  of  Errors.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  BOOR,  by  ANTON  TOHEKOFF.  A  well-known  farce  by  the 
celebrated  Russian  master;  it  is  concerned  with  Russian  peasants, 
and  portrays  with  masterly  skill  the  comic  side  of  country  life. 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  BLACK  PEARL,  by  ViCTORiEN  SARDOtr.  One  of  Sardou's 
most  famous  comedies  of  intrigue.  A  house  has,  it  is  thought, 
been  robbed.  But  through  skilful  investigation  it  is  found  that  the 
havoc  wrought  has  been  done  by  lightning.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

CHARMING   LEANDRE,  by  THEODORE  DE  BANVILUB.    The 

author  of  "  Gringoire  "  is  here  seen  in  a  poetic  vein,  yet  the  French- 
man's innate  sense  of  humor  recalls,  in  this  satirical  little  play,  the 
genius  of  Moliere.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  POST-SCRIPTUM,  by  EMILE  AFGIER.  Of  this  one-act 
comedy  Professor  Brander  Matthews  writes:  "...  one 
of  the  brightest  and  most  brilliant  little  one-act  comedies  in  any 
language,  and  to  be"  warmly  recommended  to  American  readers." 
PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  HOUSE  OF  FOURCHAMBATJLT,  by  EMILE  AUGIER. 
One  of  the  greatest  of  recent  French  family  dramas.  Although  the 
play  is  serious  in  tone,  it  contains  touches  which  entitle  it  to  a 
position  among  the  best  comedies  of  manners  of  the  times-  PRICB 

t  CENTS. 
_  O 


THE  DOCTOR  IN  SPITE  OF  HIMSELF,  by  MOLIERE.  A 
famous  farce  by  the  greatest  of  French  dramatists.  Sganarelle  has 
to  be  beaten  before  he  will  acknowledge  that  he  is  a  doctor,  which 
he  is  not.  He  then  works  apparently  miraculous  cures.  The  play 
is  a  sharp  satire  on  the  medical  profession  in  the  17th  Century. 
PRIRE  25  CENTS. 

BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER,  by  CAPTJS.  The  first 
comedy  in  English  of  the  most  sprightly  and  satirical  of  present- 
day  French  dramatists.  PRICE llftpENTS. 

CHOOSING  A  CAREER,  by  G.  A.  DE  CAILLAVET.  Written  by 
one  of  the  authors  of  "  Love  Watches."  A  farce  of  mistaken 
identity,  full  of  humorous  situations  and  bright  lines.  PRICK  26 
CENTS. 

FRENCH  WITHOUT  A  MASTER,  by  TRISTAN  BERNARD.  A 
clever  farce  by  one  of  the  most  successful  of  French  dramatists. 
It  is  concerned  with  the  difficulties  of  a  bogus-interpreter  who 
does  not  know  a  word  of  French.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

PATER  NOSTER,  a  poetic  play  in  one  act,  by  FRANCOIS 
COPPEE.  A  pathetic  incident  of  the  time  of  the  Paris  Commune, 
in  1871.  PRICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  ROMANCERS,  a  comedy  in  three  acts,  by  EDMOND  ROS- 
TAND. New  translation  of  this  celebrated  and  charming  little 
romantic  play  by  the  famous  author  of  "Cyrano  de  Bergerac  "  and 
"  Chantecler."  PKICE  25  CENTS. 

THE  MERCHANT  GENTLEMAN,  (Le  Bourgeois  Gentil- 
homme;,  by  MOLIERE.  New  translation  of  one  of  MolieTe's  comic 
masterpieces,  a  play  which  is  peculiarly  well  adapted  to  amateur 
production.  PRICE  50  CENTS. 


Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Stockton.  Calif 


M202491 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


